COWHC Ladies 2s vs Camberley & Farnborough Ladies 2s - 10th December 2016

This week saw us hosting the top of our league, Camberley and Farnham, for round 2 of the Surrey plate. We went into the game with trepidation given we had lost 2-0 against them in our first league game of the season. We were also feeling the loss of a couple of our key defensive line who were kept away by a lack of commitment and a lack of bowel control.
We fought hard from the off and our forwards, Sharon M, Mrs B, Jade and Claire H, found themselves with a couple of early runs into the oppo's D. Our tenacity and gutsy attitude paid off in spectacular style when our ever fearless and faithful leader, Nicky R, pinged the ball into the top of the net off her reverse stick...who'd have thought Rochie's training could pay off so well. Their keeper could merely stand there in shock and awe as the ball went sailing over her head. El Capitano....an inspiration to us all.
The rest of the game saw a mostly endless battle to keep our lead with manic defending by all. The mids, Jo, Sammy and Krysy tracked back well and with clear communication in the defensive line of Nicky R, Vicky, Netty and Lyds, we marked Camberley out of the game and held our lead. We did manage to get a couple of breaks which included some wonderful shuffling along the base line by Jade. Unfortunately, the oppo's was in such admiration and blew her up for blocking play....who'd have thought Rochie's training could be so ineffective?!
This week's game also saw a shedload of shorts to be defended...we lost count at 10! Despite the oppo attempting many different setups and despite some extremely close calls, including one bouncing off the crossbar, we didn't lose our cool and held our lead. Massive credit goes to Netty, our centre back for some amazing tackles and to Lisa, our keeper who many made phenomenal saves.
Unfortunately for us, their last short was awarded seconds before the final whistle and with Camberley bringing their whole team up, our luck ran out and they executed a text book short corner. 1-1.
Most of the team looked around and thought "now what?!". El Capitano was given the choice of shuffles or flicks and being the wise leader that she is chose to play into our strengths of static play and the ability to stare down and intimidate the opposition on a one-on-one. After some rule clarification, the battle of David and Goliath...their goalie was soooo tall...commenced. The fantastic five were chosen and one by one stepped up to strike down Goliath. Mrs B lead the pack with Netty close behind. Both buried their flicks with class and ease. Camberley responded accordingly leaving us 2-2. Lydia's inability to aim saw her attempt being saved however luckily the keeper had broken too early so another chance was given. After the keeper dithering once again, she finally settled down and clearly rattled Lydia was able to push the ball past her. With Jade executing her flick perfectly we were 4-4. Once again, the fate of our team was left to the hands and skills of El Capitano. As always she rose to the challenge and using her weak side (her forehand) rolled the ball in slow motion past the dramatic dive of the keeper. 5-4.
It came down to their last 'chosen one' and in true GB women's team style, Lisa read the flick perfectly and made a beast of a save!
Lisa was a most deserved POM today having had a stormer during the game, reading every one of their flicks and making that cracker of a save which resulted in our win!
Thanks to Nicky W for umpiring and for our chief cheerleaders Adam, Ross, Joe, Son of
God, Lena and Rach-el-Bar-thol-om-eeeuuuuuusz! Next - plate semi final!
NB - awesome video of flicks can be seen on Facebook page!